Thomas Jefferson

1743 – 1826 · died at about 83^[1][2]

Politics & Leadership

Fun Facts About Thomas Jefferson

• Thomas Jefferson wrote his own epitaph and left out his presidency, naming only the Declaration of Independence, Virginia's religious freedom statute, and the University of Virginia.^[1]
• John Adams died on July 4, 1826, with the last words 'Thomas Jefferson survives,' unaware that Jefferson had died several hours earlier.^[1]
• After British forces burned the Library of Congress in 1814, Jefferson sold his own library to the government for $23,950 to help rebuild it.^[1]
• Jefferson is credited with creating the swivel chair, and he used the first one to write much of the Declaration of Independence.^[1]
• Because postmasters often opened his mail, Jefferson invented his own enciphering device, the Wheel Cipher, and wrote important letters in code.^[1]
• Jefferson was reportedly able to play the violin well enough to perform in weekly concerts at the Governor's Palace.^[1]
• Thomas Jefferson was alive at the same time as Louis Pasteur — their lives overlapped for 4 years (1822–1826).^[1][2][3][4]
• Thomas Jefferson and Marie Curie died on the same day of the year, July 4.^[1][2][5][6]

Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father and the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was a leading proponent of democracy, republicanism, and natural rights, and he produced formative documents and decisions at the state, national, and international levels.^[1]

Contemporaries

John Adams

83 yr overlap

Francisco Goya

80 yr overlap

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

77 yr overlap

James Watt

76 yr overlap

James Madison

75 yr overlap

Edward Jenner

74 yr overlap

Hokusai

66 yr overlap

Joseph Haydn

66 yr overlap

Immanuel Kant

61 yr overlap

Toussaint Louverture

60 yr overlap

Andrew Jackson

59 yr overlap

John Quincy Adams

59 yr overlap

Their World

Questions About Thomas Jefferson

When was Thomas Jefferson born?

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, and died on July 4, 1826.

How old was Thomas Jefferson at death?

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, and died on July 4, 1826, at age 83.

What was Thomas Jefferson known for?

Thomas Jefferson was known for: Author of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father and the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was a leading proponent of democracy, republicanism, and natural rights, and he produced formative documents and decisions at the state, national, and international levels.

Who was alive at the same time as Thomas Jefferson?

Thomas Jefferson's closest contemporary was John Adams. Their lives overlapped for 83 years.